Why University of Oregon?
The University of Oregon School of Law is recognized for its top-ranked programs in Legal Research and Writing, Environmental Law, and Dispute Resolution, offering practical experience and a commitment to public service.
University of Oregon is a moderately selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 55.3%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.62 GPA and 158 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 3.32–3.79 GPA and 155–161 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 160 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in Oregon, Washington, and California — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. In the 2025 ABA reporting cycle, University of Oregon admitted 2 transfer students into the 2L class. 9 1Ls transferred out.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- #91
- Median GPA
- 3.62
- 25th–75th: 3.32–3.79
- Median LSAT
- 158
- 25th–75th: 155–161
- Acceptance rate
- 55.3%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 160
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 2
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
2025 transfer admit profile
Actual GPAs of students University of Oregon admitted as transfers in the 2025 ABA cycle.
- 25th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
- Median
- —
- 50th percentile
- 75th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
9 1Ls transferred out of University of Oregon in the same cycle — context for how portable University of Oregon's 1L credit is among admissions committees elsewhere.
Top employment markets
- 1Oregon
- 2Washington
- 3California
Where the most recent graduating class concentrated employment, per the school's ABA 509 employment summary. Use this as a signal of where the alumni network and OCI recruiting pipeline are strongest.
Signature clinics
Clinical programs that define University of Oregon's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why University of Oregon" essay where they align with your interests.
- Business Law ClinicAssists business clients in a simulated law firm environment.
- Criminal Defense ClinicStudents work at public defense offices in Eugene and Portland.
- Criminal Prosecution ClinicStudents prepare and try minor criminal cases at the Lane County District Attorney's Office.
- Civil Justice Clinic (Domestic Violence Clinic)Provides civil legal services to low-income survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
- Environmental Law ClinicHoused at the Western Environmental Law Center, a nonprofit public interest law firm.
- Nonprofit ClinicAn interdisciplinary clinic serving the Oregon nonprofit community.
- NIL & Sports Law ClinicProvides free legal services to Oregon student-athletes and other influencers, reviewing NIL agreements and helping protect brands.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- Oregon Law Review— Scholarly articles of current interest on state, national, and international significance.
- Journal of Environmental Law and Litigation— Environmental and natural resources law, including renewable energy and environmental justice.
- Oregon Review of International Law— Current legal topics in international law and policy, including human rights and international trade.
Faculty highlights
Well-known faculty grouped by primary specialty. If a professor's scholarship aligns with your interests, name them in your essay and reference a specific paper or course.
- Jennifer ReynoldsDean of the School of Law, Leadership & Law.
- Andrea Coles-BjerreBusiness Law.
- Mary WoodEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law.
- Stuart ChinnHigher Education Law, Constitutional Law.
- Kristen BellPublic Service and Policy.
- Carl S. BjerreBusiness Law.
- John BonineEnvironmental Law.
- Michelle McKinleyLegal History, International Law.
- Nancy ShurtzTax Law, Business Law.
- Greg DotsonEnvironmental Law.
- Elizabeth "Liz" TippettEmployment Law, Conflict and Dispute Resolution.
What makes University of Oregon distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·Portland Program allows third-year students to study at the UO Portland NE Campus, offering specialized coursework and externship opportunities.
- ·Nine concurrent degree options, including JD/MBA, JD/MA or MS in Environmental Studies, and JD/MS in Water Resources Policy and Management.
- ·Environmental and Natural Resources Law Center is a leading center for public interest environmental law, conducting research and preparing students for leadership in environmental policy.
- ·Appropriate Dispute Resolution Center provides opportunities to learn negotiation, mediation, and arbitration, and houses Resolution Oregon, a state office supporting community dispute resolution centers.
- ·Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics, an independent center housed in the law school, offers fellowships and leadership opportunities in public service and policy.
- ·3+3 Program for undergraduate students in the Clark Honors College to earn both a bachelor's degree and a law degree in six years.
Using this for your "Why University of Oregon" essay
Strong "Why X Law School" essays are concrete and specific to the school — not interchangeable templates. Use these facts to anchor your essay, then layer on what you've found from the school's own faculty pages, clinical program descriptions, and journal listings.
Important note: admissions committees actively reject AI-written personal statements and "Why X" essays. Use this page as research material to write your own essay — never as a template to copy. Authentic, specific, personally-grounded reasoning is the only thing that wins these essays.
Frequently asked about University of Oregon
What is the median GPA and LSAT at University of Oregon?▾
University of Oregon's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.62 and a median LSAT of 158. The 25th–75th percentile range was 3.32–3.79 GPA and 155–161 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is University of Oregon's acceptance rate?▾
University of Oregon's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 55.3%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does University of Oregon offer?▾
University of Oregon's notable clinical programs include: Business Law Clinic, Criminal Defense Clinic, Criminal Prosecution Clinic, Civil Justice Clinic (Domestic Violence Clinic), Environmental Law Clinic. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does University of Oregon publish?▾
University of Oregon's notable student-edited journals include: Oregon Law Review, Journal of Environmental Law and Litigation, Oregon Review of International Law.
Where do University of Oregon graduates work?▾
University of Oregon graduates concentrate employment in Oregon, Washington, California, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
How many transfer students does University of Oregon admit?▾
University of Oregon admitted 2 transfer students into the 2L class in the 2025 ABA reporting cycle.
Schools similar to University of Oregon
Other schools at a comparable rank tier — useful for building a transfer list, balanced 0L application list, or essay-research shortlist.
About to start at University of Oregon?
Case Cub is the AI study platform built for the 1L grind: case briefs, issue spotters, flashcards, outline generators. Walk into your first finals already practiced.
Try Case Cub free →Sources (12) — verify any fact above
- https://www.lsac.org/schools/university-oregon-school-law
- https://law.uoregon.edu/academics
- https://law.uoregon.edu/life-law/student-organizations-journals
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Oregon_School_of_Law
- https://law.uoregon.edu/academics/centers-programs
- https://law.uoregon.edu/academics/jd-program/concurrent-degrees
- https://law.uoregon.edu/academics/centers-programs/appropriate-dispute-resolution-center
- https://law.uoregon.edu/academics/centers-programs/environmental-natural-resources-law-center
- https://law.uoregon.edu/academics/centers-programs/public-service-policy-program
- https://law.uoregon.edu/academics/centers-programs/sports-law-program
- https://law.uoregon.edu/academics/clinics
- https://law.uoregon.edu/faculty
Generated from public sources via search-grounded AI on 4/27/2026. If any fact looks wrong, click through to verify and let us know.